We are in an era where you can learn absolutely anything and everything on YouTube!  Someone somewhere else has thought of the idea, created a video and posted it online!

What amazing task have you learned on YouTube?

God has created us with amazing brains with vast amounts of creativity and courage!  I am sure He smiles when we use His gifts for good!

But when does DIY fall short?  “Pinterest Fail” entered our vocabulary when our internet expectation met human reality.

The same is true for our spiritual walks.  There are lots of hacks and short cuts out there.  Genuine faith growth, however, requires emotional health and relational connection as we dig deep in to God’s Word, prayer, and service.

“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13

We have 5 new adorable lambs.
And we have 1 ornery older goat.

Guess which is easier to love?  To cuddle?  To spend time with?
Yep!  The adorable lambs.  The ornery goat?  Not so much!

Buttttt….I have learned how to love that ornery bugger right where he is.  Tolerate his stinky self.  Accept his goofy habits.  Even find his attempts at friendliness to be endearing.

FYI:  I am talking about my barnyard here.  Not my friends and family.Although, I could be….! 

Who is God calling you to love today?

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”  Romans 12:18

I have a 2 year old grandson.  Guess what concept is in the forefront of every conversation?  ME!  MINE!  His parents will spend the rest of his childhood teaching him to think of others.

Until Today!  Today I challenge you to think of yourself.  Of allllllllll the issues going on in our world today, take some time each day to focus on YOU!
– Instead of badmouthing all things healthcare, take a look at what you are feeding yourself (your body, your mind, your soul).
– Instead of criticizing all things political, consider how you govern and discipline your time, your talents and your finances.
– Instead of comparing others based on their status and labels, put on the eyes of Christ and wear the label of love.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37,38

What are you growing this spring?  It has been beautiful weather for growing flowers!
And vegetables!  And trees!  And just about everything!

But what are you growing in the garden of your heart?
What do you spend time cultivating and nurturing?
What are your most vital and organic nutrients?

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

I’m not a meteorologist, but I consider today’s weather to be called: GLORIOUS!
However, if you suffer from allergies you may consider today to be:  DREADFUL!

Weather is just a simple example of the vast difference in opinions based on the same given elements these days.  We aren’t even talking about politics, money, health care, race or many other hot topics!

The question today is:  How do you respond to those around you who think their Real Feel is better/more important/more correct than yours?  (Notice I didn’t say, ‘How do you react?”  A reaction is much more quickly given, without thought or care.  A response is a carefully and thoughtfully given reply based on intent and goal.)  So….how do you respond?  Do you have an answer prepared?  Have you prayerfully considered how your words and actions affect those nearest to you?

I don’t typically read The Message version of the Bible, but I Corinthians 9:22 gives much food for thought for what our daily goal should be: “I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.”  I Corinthians 9:22

How many times does a toddler trip before learning to walk with a smooth gait?
How many curbs does a teenager bump before successfully navigating parallel parking?
How many dips and rises does your stock portfolio experience before you strike it “rich”?

Ahhhh….the ebb and flow of growing pains.  None of us is immune to them in any area of our lives.  Even a young prodigy has to be taught how to use a spoon!  🙂

When do growing pains stop?  Hopefully never!  God calls us to keep learning, keep trying, keep forgiving, keep loving!

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ”  Ephesians 4:15

Do you live a full life?
Or a fool life?
OUCH!

Sometimes it takes a simple, yet strong, question to wake us up and readjust our priorities!
Are you living a life full of the gifts of God – both the hard times as well as the blessed times?
Are your days full of opportunities to share the love of Jesus everywhere you go?
Is your heart full of sweet memories and treasured stories?

or…..Do you live a fool life?
Wasting time, money and opportunity?
Dwelling on the incidental inconveniences of life?
Focusing on your self-centered plans?

I heard this years ago: Jesus spelled it alllllll out for us….
On which side of the comma do you want to live?
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

Loud cars?
Designer clothes?
Immaculate home?
Well behaved children?
Baseball jerseys?
15,000 followers?

Where do you find your identity?  What is your scale?  How do you know when enough is enough?

Let’s use Today to give thanks and praise to God for His unconditional love!  His undeserved grace and mercy!  His enduring power!  His eternal promise!

THAT is the identity I want on MY name tag!  🙂

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21

Are you a sunrise or a sunset kind of person?  The colors, the beauty and the majesty of the sun setting over water get me every time!  God is such an amazing artist!

The same God who created the big ball of 27 million degree fire we call the Sun designed it to display glorious splendor every morning and evening!  Every sunrise and sunset is a reminder of God’s perfect plan, His power and His glory!

Even if today is a cloudy or rainy day, the sun is still doing what God created it to do – we just can’t see it.  

He also created and designed YOU for His perfect plan and for His glory – even if other people can’t see it or don’t realize it!  So no matter what – keep shining!

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”  Psalm 37:5,6

Are you Scout ready?
Or a Procrastinator?

Good thing the disciples were Scout ready!  After Jesus’ resurrection He met the disciples while they were on their boat after a night of poor fishing.  “Let down your nets again,” He told them.  God filled their nets to overflowing!  They could barely haul in the bounty!

Are YOUR nets ready for what God is about to do in your life?
Have you mended weak spots by humble prayer?
Reinforced the gaps by sharing burdens with a friend?
Secured your foundation in God’s Word?

Wherever God has us, let’s be ready and listening for His call!

“He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”  John 21:6